A state senator is proposing a new law that would be known as the “Jerome Ersland Act.” Senator Ralph Shortey (R-Oklahoma City) says the bill would presume that a business owner was acting in self-defense if that owner shoots and kills an armed robber.

“When I saw that Jerome Ersland was charged with this crime, I started thinking to myself, what in the world can we do to help citizens who are just trying to protect their businesses,” said Sen. Shortey.

Ersland was charged with the murder of 16-year-old Antwun Parker when Parker and another teenager tried to rob the pharmacy at gunpoint.

Senator Shortey says the “Jerome Ersland Act” will be very similar to the “Make My Day” and “Stand your Ground” laws.

He believes it will help protect business owners.

Jerome Ersland found out about the proposed bill last week and says he is honored that it was named after him.

“I think it’s a good law. It’s protecting the businessmen from armed robbers because you have to be able to fight back because you’ll get killed or your employees will get killed,” said Ersland.